UPDATED 8/9: In addition to Todd’s stage demo at E3, we’ve various press folks go hands on with the game for the first time. Below are some of the initial previews making their way online. As we find more, we’ll keep you posted.

1Up — “Bethesda has crafted such a large and all-encompassing realization of the Elder Scrolls universe in this newest installment, that dipping your toe into the pool only results in your entire leg being dragged into the water by the game’s vicious undercurrent.”

Game Informer (more here) — “Overall, Skyrim played great. The framerate was fluid, the combat satisfying, and the world beckons more exploration.”

Eurogamer — “RPGs send you into menus more than almost any other game genre, so it’s weird that more thought doesn’t go into inventory design, but as I play around with powers, weapons and items to lighten my load it becomes clear that Skyrim is a welcome exception.”

Destructoid — “After spending an hour aimlessly exploring a very tiny area of Skyrim’s world, I’m convinced Bethesda will deliver on Oblivion’s promise while outdoing any previous ambitions.”

Gamespot — “Our hands-on time with Skyrim left us with the impression that Bethesda isn’t trying to reinvent The Elder Scrolls formula; instead, it’s taking what was great about the previous games and adding some interesting new content on top of it.”

Neowin — “Even though we only saw The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim for just a few minutes it’s clear that Bethesda Game Studios is going all out to make this latest game in this long running RPG series the best yet.”

IGN — “The view from a snow-choked cave mouth to distant mountains wreathed in a drifting cloak of cloud is clear and detailed.”

G4TV — “Skyrim did not disappoint, and I’m eagerly awaiting getting back into that world to wreak some havoc.”

In print, get new details on Skyrim in the latest issue of PSM3 — now on newsstands in the UK. Meanwhile, folks in the US can read GameInformer’s E3 impressions of both Skyrim & RAGE in their August issue.

There’s plenty more to read online, including various features with the folks that make our games great

Live presentations! Interviews! New Screenshots! SO… MUCH… MORE!!! Why do I sound like used car salesman on TV?!? Because we’re headed to LA tomorrow, and that means things are going to get craaaaaazy!!

When we get there, we’ll be greeted by our pal Dovahkiin — as he graces the famous Figueora Hotel (more on that soon).

But before we head to the airport, let’s share some pre-E3 news.

Don’t miss the first look at Skyrim gameplay tomorrow on GTTV Presents: E3 All Access Live. After Microsoft’s E3 briefing, Todd will be presenting the game on Spike TV. Talking with Mr. Keighley, he says the show will also be livestreaming in HD worldwide on Gametrailers.com, Kotaku, MTV.com and Yahoo!

CVG revealed that Skyrim was voted the #1 most anticipated game of E3. Thanks for voting!

While our BFG event was more than two weeks ago, there’s plenty of new coverage to share for RAGE, Skyrim, Prey 2, and Hunted.

Don’t miss last Friday’s GTTV episode, which featured a new Skyrim interview with Todd Howard, as well as a first look at RAGE’s Subway Town. Catch both segments at GameTrailers.com.

If podcasts are your thing, Giant Bomb has 40 minutes of discussion on Skyrim, RAGE, and Prey 2. While I highly recommend the entire podcast, the BFG coverage starts just before the 50-minute mark. Elsewhere, Shacknews’ Garnett Lee shares his Skyrim impressions in episode 57 of Weekend Confirmed (scan ahead to the 33:25 mark of the podcast), and also divulges on why he’s so excited for RAGE in episode 58. Head to iTunes to download all three podcasts.